January Community Update

Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools

Community Update INSIDE: 

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• FINAL INSURANCE SETTLMENT

• APPALACHIA PROJECT • PROJECT UPDATES January 2018

A Message from your Superintendent It is hard to believe that we are well into the second semester of the 2017 2018 school year. The successes seen in our schools are made possible because of the dedication of our staff, families, students and community members.

Participants from each of these groups come together to collaboratively enhance and expand opportunities in and out of our classrooms. Thank you for participating in the education of our students and thank you students for your commitment to education. I am excited to build on the success of the first semester as we proceed through the second half of the school year.

At our January Board of Education meeting, we welcomed two new board members, Tom Beal and Brian Jones who replaced our retiring members, Connie Newyear and Sharon Scott. These two women have each served multiple terms on our board and I am grateful for their commitment to our students and to the community. Connie and Sharon have given countless hours of service to the district and have been committed to supporting district initiatives to improve student achievement. On behalf of Willoughby-Eastlake I wish these ladies continued success and happiness as they retire from their positions as board members.

Our district continues to place students first, ensure quality instruction and maximize time on task. It is with this laser focus that we continue to Improve Student Achievement.

I hope that you enjoy this month’s Community Update.

Steve Thompson Superintendent Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools Steve.Thompson@weschools.org (440) 975 - 3757 @Thompson_WESsup

W-E Schools

Connie Newyear Thank you, Connie and Sharon for your support of Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools and the students we serve.

Sharon Scott

Jefferson Elementary

Making a Difference - Reflex Math Grants At Jefferson Elementary, two fifth grade teachers, Toni Marinelli and Stephanie Knauss, took great initiative to seek support for their students with math fact fluency. In their search to support students, Tony and Stephanie applied for and were awarded seventy licenses to use through the grants from Reflex Math.

Reflex Math is a research-based program that combines assessment and game-based learning to help students at all ability levels develop fluency with basic math facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Students at Jefferson will continue to utilize this resource in conjunction with lessons in the classroom to improve math skills. “We are so proud of the dedication our staff members show to their students and to education. The students using Reflex Math in the classrooms are engaged and enjoying learning. It is clear to all that observe the students, they are driven to learn when they like what they are doing,� stated Principal Lisa George.

NCI Willoughby DECA Competition Winners DECA is a national organization preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

Seventeen of the students in the Business Academy class at the Northern Career Institute in Willoughby won medals at the DECA Districts Competition held at Akron University on January 26th. The students will now move to the State DECA Competition held on March 9th and 10th in Columbus, Ohio.

Congratulations to the winning students and to their instructor, Lisa Simon on a job well done!

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A Message from your Treasurer

Bill Parkinson Treasurer/CFO Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools

Final Fire Settlement Reached On January 30, 2018, the members of the WilloughbyEastlake Board of Education voted unanimously to accept the final settlement offer of $8,711,086.93 for the fire occurring on March 14, 2017, destroying the board office.

The original suggested offer was made to the district in June of 2017 in the amount of $5,018,899.99.

After the initial offer was made, the district procured the assistance of the Alex N. Sill Company in order to make an attempt to maximize a settlement. After months of arduous investigation and negotiations, WilloughbyEastlake was able to see a net gain of $3,692,186.94.

specifically for improvements to our remaining buildings,” stated Treasurer, Bill Parkinson.

“This settlement option will further stretch the dollars spent by the district.

I consider this to be responsible spending of district funds.”

The district recently purchased a building located at 35353 Curtis Boulevard in Eastlake, Ohio to replace the offices.

“Because the district opted to obtain a “walk away check” rather than rebuild the structure, we have been able to purchase an existing space and will plan to renovate that space. This type of strategy will allow us to replace necessary office space and complete renovations with insurance proceeds. Once the building is completed, excess proceeds will be used

W-E Schools

Auditor of State Award Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools

Eastlake Middle

Adopt-A-Family

The Student Council at Eastlake Middle School hosted Adopt A - Family in order to bring Christmas cheer to area families.

During the drive, students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades, from Eastlake Middle School, approached members of their families and members of the community in order to raise money for the event. As a result of their efforts, the students were able to raise $3,600.00.

After completing their fundraising, sixteen students completed the job of shopping for families in the community, consisting of six children and four adults.

“It is an honor to work with the students in Student Council and with the entire student body at Eastlake Middle School,” stated Student Council Advisor, Britni Jenkins. “Our students have a true sense of compassion and generosity. During a four week span, they raised a total of $7,100.00 for the needs of others. Eastlake Middle School is a great place to teach and engage in these terrific events with students.”

Biodiversity Bonanza: Lake Metroparks In an effort to maximize learning and increase student engagement, the staff at Eastlake Middle School recently partnered with Lake Metroparks to bring the Biodiversity Bonanza to the school. This lesson has been designed by the Lake Metroparks to create a connection between science, technology, engineering and math to the English Language Arts standards.

During the program, students were able to participate in real-world experiences while learning about the numerous distinct environments in Ohio that support different kinds of organisms and their role within the environment.

“The Biodiversity Bonanza is evidence of the work being done in our schools to engage students and make learning meaningful. The teachers at Eastlake Middle School consistently take great care to continue our district work to Improve Student Achievement.”

Superintendent, Steve Thompson

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School of Innovation Euclid Creek Watershed Rehab awarded to assist with the habitat restoration. That money, combined with funds donated by local municipalities, will The students at the School of enable the students to address existing issues. The Innovation are working to enhance students, while collaborating with advisors from First a natural habitat as a resource for Energy, Bowen & Associates, Lake County Soil & Water outdoor environmental science Conservation District, NEORSD, Lake County Stormwater studies.

Management Department, Friends of Euclid Creek and the The Euclid Creek Watershed drains Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District propose to restore and 24 square miles from 11 Northeast Ohio Communities in Cuyahoga and Lake Counties, which includes approximately stabilize the two creeks 1.43 square miles of land located at the western edge of Route 271 (behind the School of Innovation) and extending which will almost 500 linear feet downstream. While studying the land result in improvebehind the school, the students found areas of bank ments in erosion, channel incision, invasive species, undersized the stream, culverts and the absence of a functioning riparian floodplain floodplain. and riparian In 2015, the Habitat Restoration Project Planning grant from habitat.

The students recently completed a water the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) was quality study.

South High School

Key Club Activities

It is the mission of the international Key Club to provide members with opportunities to serve, build character and develop leadership. The students in the Key Club at South High have embraced the mission and continue to use this as the cornerstone of their club’s activities.

During the month of February, the Key Club members will be collecting items for Birthright and for the Lake County Humane Society. Prior to these drives, the members of the Key Club have assisted with childcare at Edison, worked as Santa’s Helpers in downtown Willoughby and at Lake Farmpark, held a blood drive for the American Red Cross where 46 pints of blood were collected, assisted with the Salvation Army angel tree, held food drives, assisted to clean area parks, volunteered with the Farmpark Haunted Hayride and helped with United Way fundraising.

The work done by the members of the Key Club has had a tremendous impact in the community.

W-E Schools

PROJECT UPDATES At South High, the site excavation continued through the end of 2017. The building pad for the academic portion of the new school has been completed and the building pad for the remaining portion of the facility is 99% complete. The material lay down areas and the road excavation will continue to be prepared for the arrival of construction

South High School

products.

The district is continuing to work with the YMCA to finalize materials and plans for the swimming pool.

At Longfellow Elementary, the foundations and the footers are underway and the building materials for the site are beginning to arrive

Longfellow Elementary School

At North High, the storm line tie ins at Glen Drive are complete. The district is currently investigating additional park-

ing at NCI Eastlake which will be funded by the proceeds from the Nursing program. The work on the foundation and the footers for North have begun and the building materials are currently ordered and are arriving on site.

The work at all of the construction sites continues to be on time and on budget.

We are looking forward to August of 2019 when the three new schools open for students.

If you would like to see live camera feed, you can find it on the construction tab on WEschools.org.

North High School

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Willoughby-Eastlake Across the District

Edison students took time to enjoy a good book!

Willoughby Middle students found creative ways to model the layers of the Earth.

Great coding at Success Academy this month!

W-E Schools

Jefferson students began “One School, One Book” with a visit from a live pig.

Willowick Middle students were honored for their grades at a Principal’s Breakfast.

The students at NCI Eastlake have been practicing blood draws.

Longfellow students saw the first wall of their new school beginning to go up.

Royalview began Jump Rope for Heart!

North and South students medaled at the Regional Competition for Acadec.

The School of Innovation students created bio-engineered animals!

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South High School Art Accolades AWARD WINNERS Bri Cameron 1 Blue Ribbon 1 Gold Seal 1 Honorable Mention

During the month of January, students from North and South had work accepted into the 2018 Lake & Geauga Counties Student Art Awards Show.

The work completed by the students will be on exhibit in the Fine Arts Gallery at Lakeland Community College until February 17, 2018.

CONGRATULATIONS STUDENTS!

Jenna Kerns 1 Blue Ribbon 1 Gold Seal 1 Honorable Mention Hannah Norton 2 Blue Ribbons 1 Best in Show gr 11-12 Sydney Troxell 1 Honorable Mention Tessa Hartman 1 Blue Ribbon 1 Gold Seal Megan Manco 1 Blue Ribbon 1 Honorable Mention Tyler White 1 Best in Show gr 12 Jesmina Alia 1 Gold Seal Syndey Barnhouse 1 Blue Ribbon Sophia Blatnik 2 Honorable Mentions Miquelle DePuy 1 Gold Seal Katryna Gjerek 1 Gold Seal Julia Kerns 1 Blue Ribbon 1 Honorable Mention Arianna Duncan 1 Honorable Mention Bri Clark 1 Honorable Mention Brooklyn Caronchi 1 Honorable Mention Emma Boeman 1 Blue Ribbon Anna Barzal 1 Blue Ribbon

W-E Schools

North High School

North High School Appalachia Service Project During the month of January, four students from North High School, along with students in neighboring districts, participated in the Appalachia Service Project (ASP). The goals of the project were to allow students to apply critical thinking skills and develop a better understanding of how to overcome challenges and obstacles, engage in service that will aid in development of social justice and civic responsibility, create and implement a service project in their local community, improve interpersonal competence and develop collaboration skills.

During the time the students spent with ASP, the students assisted to complete repairs on the homes of some of Appalachia’s poorest families.

“I am honored to work with the students that contributed so much to this project. Our Ranger volunteers completed work that might not have otherwise been done. They transformed houses into homes by making them warmer, safer and drier for families in need.”

Principal, Eric Frei

Grant Elementary International Gift Exchange Jennifer McCall’s first graders at Grant Elementary learned about the spirit of giving while integrating technology to get to know their newest friends.

During the holiday season, the students participated in a gingerbread man exchange with a class in Canada. They received friendship bracelets, Canadian treats and information about the culture. The Grant students watched videos to learn more about Canadian cultures and are planning future skype sessions.

“Our students were able to learn about people that live in

the Cree Reserve Nation in the province of Alberta. It taught my students appreciation for people from different cultures. This was a great experience for our students,” stated Ms. McCall

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OUR MISSION D A T E S

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IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

February 20, 8:00 p.m.

Band A Rama - South High School

February 21, 7:00 p.m.

New Student Orientation Expo, North High School

February 16 & 19

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This is not an inclusive list of all events during the upcoming month. For a more complete list, please check our district calendar or follow us on Facebook. Facebook is now being updated to include weekly events.

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Teach - Learn - Grow Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools - 37047 Ridge Road - Willoughby, OH 44094